Like Low Flying????

[retroaviation]

A friend leading a flight of jets hit a cable 26 feet above a lake, square in the nose and made it back. Had he been a foot lower it would have taken off his canopy and head. He admits to being young and foolish then.

I know the friend your talking about with that story, Bill, and you're right, it was certainly a close one. He's funny when telling it, but there's no doubt that it scared some sense into him.

Gary

[sdennison]

Ther are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old bold pilots.

Heyyy! What a great slogan!

[bdk]

That video is very professionally done. I don't think it was made by a couple of bumpkins with a Handycam duct taped to the side of the helicopter. Some of the film may have been sped up in places as well. I'm sure everything was carefully planned.

[krlang]

Hmmm,

I dunno whether its a good thing or a bad thing that the BO-105 was as rigid as it was. The tranny and rotor head are fixed to the airframe on the 105, not a floating unit like most other helo's. Hence the ability to play that way in them. Theres one on the Airshow circuit this year. It looks neat.

[Trey Carroll]

There was something like this on AirshowBuzz. Someone found a video of the Dueling Sabres routine on YouTube and some guy was saying that Ed Shipley was very unprofesional since his jet was too low. If the pilot is comfortable in his environment, then that's all that matters. Im sure this helo guy wasnt straight out of training. If he crashes, that's pilot error most likely, and HIS problem. A pilot should only put himself in a position that he can get out of.

On a lighter note, sweet video!

[mike furline]

Ever notice when someone posts a Low Flying video everyone jumps on the safety wagon on how unsafe it is? Yet no one has a bad word to say when they flew a Beech 18 thru a billboard in the Mad Mad Mad World movie or the clapped out B-25 mass takeoff scene in Catch-22.

I've seen pics posted on this forum of a P-51 flying a super low pass down the runway where the photographer was almost certainly standing on the same active runway to take the picture or the Sea Fury pic as seen from the rear view mirror of a truck. Seems like everyone gave it the thumbs up.

Wouldn't all these stunts be considered dangerous? I find it interesting that some stunts seem to be acceptible.

Regards,
Mike

[retroaviation]

I've seen pics posted on this forum of a P-51 flying a super low pass down the runway where the photographer was almost certainly standing on the same active runway to take the picture or the Sea Fury pic as seen from the rear view mirror of a truck. Seems like everyone gave it the thumbs up.

Well, since I'm the one you're referring to with that comment, I'll address it.

The Mustang picture was taken while I was standing at the far end of the runway.....standing off of the runway surface. The airplane was certainly lower than any of us were comfortable with, and our future shots were done at higher altitudes and with the pilot pulling up well before he got to the photographer (me).

The Sea Fury shot was indeed taken with me driving down the centerline of the active runway.

Both pictures were taken only after briefing the flights BEFORE they took place and I had a handheld radio with me to be in communication with the pilots at all times. The airport those pictures were taken at were at a non-controlled, very low activity airport. We always kept an eye open for arriving or departing aircraft, and if one came through, they got the right of way.

It's true that those pictures (along with many others I've taken over the years) aren't necessarily "unrisky," but that's what makes them unique and interesting. Just like flying a Beech 18 through a billboard for a movie is a bit more unique and interesting than filming one doing touch and go's at LAX. I'm sure they briefed the Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World flights as well.

I see your point, Mike, but thought I should defend myself a little bit.

Gary

[mike furline]

I've seen pics posted on this forum of a P-51 flying a super low pass down the runway where the photographer was almost certainly standing on the same active runway to take the picture or the Sea Fury pic as seen from the rear view mirror of a truck. Seems like everyone gave it the thumbs up.

Well, since I'm the one you're referring to with that comment, I'll address it.

The Mustang picture was taken while I was standing at the far end of the runway.....standing off of the runway surface. The airplane was certainly lower than any of us were comfortable with, and our future shots were done at higher altitudes and with the pilot pulling up well before he got to the photographer (me).

The Sea Fury shot was indeed taken with me driving down the centerline of the active runway.

Both pictures were taken only after briefing the flights BEFORE they took place and I had a handheld radio with me to be in communication with the pilots at all times. The airport those pictures were taken at were at a non-controlled, very low activity airport. We always kept an eye open for arriving or departing aircraft, and if one came through, they got the right of way.

It's true that those pictures (along with many others I've taken over the years) aren't necessarily "unrisky," but that's what makes them unique and interesting. Just like flying a Beech 18 through a billboard for a movie is a bit more unique and interesting than filming one doing touch and go's at LAX. I'm sure they briefed the Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World flights as well.

I see your point, Mike, but thought I should defend myself a little bit.

Gary

Gary,

No need to defend, wasn't trying to lay blame on anyone. I had no idea who had posted those shots, just remembered seeing them on the forum.

I'm sure the majority of pics/clips had the benefit of a pre-briefed/planned flight.

Just thought it was interesting how some pics/clips get the "thumbs down" and others get the "thumbs up" from what appears to be the same risky piece of flying.

Regards,
Mike

[mustangdriver]

I think there is a huge difference in making a low pass, and dodging trees.

[retroaviation]

Gary,

No need to defend, wasn't trying to lay blame on anyone. I had no idea who had posted those shots, just remembered seeing them on the forum.

I'm sure the majority of pics/clips had the benefit of a pre-briefed/planned flight.

Just thought it was interesting how some pics/clips get the "thumbs down" and others get the "thumbs up" from what appears to be the same risky piece of flying.

Regards,
Mike

Wasn't offended, but just wanted to make sure everyone knew those shots weren't just "spur of the moment" deals. Heck, I never seem to have a camera with me when those happen.

Gary

[mike furline]

I think there is a huge difference in making a low pass, and dodging trees.

True, but I'm going to guess this was a pre-planned flight. Maybe a company demo with test pilots???
It seems that the camera angles may also have played a part in making it look more dangerous than it already was.

Regards,
Mike

[Baldeagle]

Don't know if this link has been posted here before, but:

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=39321

Lot's of good stuff, including a photo (and maybe link to video) of a Sunderland doing an inadvertant touch and go on a paved runway...

[bipe215]

Not sure its fair to compare Tallman's billboard stunt with the low flying chopper dude. Tallman was doing his job, being paid to look dangerous, and he had a split second to kill himself. Chopper dude gave his self a chance to die about every five seconds through the video.
Still its all fun to watch.

Steve G

[JBrawner]

ok since i havent seen this one posted yet i will put my 2 cents in.



http://www.dumpalink.com/videos/Low-fly ... -21a6.html

http://www.dumpalink.com/videos/Low-Fly ... -3866.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQiLvLew9J8
^^-gotta love seeing the shadow of your aircraft that close

http://www.dumpalink.com/videos/Extreme ... -0031.html

http://www.dumpalink.com/videos/Extreme ... -5a63.html
^^what do you think the truck driver thought of that one

http://www.dumpalink.com/videos/Extreme ... -72f4.html

same ? for this one as well

http://www.dumpalink.com/videos/Extreme ... -a37e.html


oh and i didnt make these so no blaming me for the music selection if you dont like them.

Last edited by JBrawner on Wed May 09, 2007 9:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Jerry O'Neill]

Not sure its fair to compare Tallman's billboard stunt with the low flying chopper dude. Tallman was doing his job, being paid to look dangerous, and he had a split second to kill himself. Chopper dude gave his self a chance to die about every five seconds through the video.
Still its all fun to watch.

Steve G

TURE, TRUE!
JERRY